As a result, the high nobles were divided into two camps: those that originated in the Tapani sector (the Tapani clan) and those that originated in the Senex-Juvex region (Senex-Juvex clan). The first Emperor, Beorthram Althmark, established the nobility by giving certain local noble houses higher status in the Imperial state. In Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Imperial officers of the Galactic Empire wear insignia consisting of a collection of colored (red, blue, yellow, orange, or white) rank squares on the left breast of the officer's uniform with a combination of several metal cylinders to both or one side of the rank badge. They gained their positions not necessarily through merit, but by blood. They were the representatives of some of the oldest and most powerful noble houses in the Empire, and the galaxy (also sometimes referred to as the 'Ancient Houses'). The high nobility was the upper echelon of noble class in the Empire's social hierarchy. Regular nobility held the following titles: The proper form of address for members of the Althmark Dyansty (other than the emperor) was Your Imperial Highness. Other male relatives of the Imperial family held the title of grand duke, and were also referred to as duke. They included Prince of the First Rank, Second Rank, and Third Rank. Direct descendants of the Emperor's male line were given the rank of prince.

Star wars empire ranks